Moving Forward with Reading, Writing and The Stranger

Monday, September 24, 2012

I finally have most of my sixth grade friends using the Daily 3 (Read to Self, Work on Writing and Word Work) consistently for 15 minute cycles. That is about all I can manage at this point in an 82 minute period. I wrote out a few anchor charts which I put at the top of my classroom walls to help them remember what to do during that time. Slowly I began using my Word Work journal and have introduced a few things in my Writer's Notebook which I'll post in a few days.

I put up some things for the kiddo's to remind them of the activities I wanted them to work on as we move forward. I'm hoping I can add to this as we learn more strategies.Sorry about the blurry photo for Word Work. That always seems to happen when I use my iPhone.Tomorrow I'm focusing on my Reader's Notebook. I am introducing the jobs I use in my Literature Circles. I have 5 rotating jobs that my students use when we read novels in my classroom. The kiddos are in lit circle groups and read one of 5 or 6 choice novels based on a common theme. They usually meet about twice a week once we get moving. To introduce the different jobs I use picture books and an Author Unit on Chris VanAllsburg. I <puffy heart> Chris Van Allsburg.

I start off reading The Stranger which is filled with inferences. We discuss so many things about this book-- there are so many reading comprehension strategies to work on! Then we all practice the first literature job together: Discussion Director. The next day we fish bowl the activity with good modeling, and I continue on from there. I am soooo looking forward to sending time with "The Stranger" again. It is one of my favorite picture books.How about you? Do you have that favorite mentor text? Please share so I can add it to my collection!Happy Reading!!Michele

2 comments

Hey again! I know you will think this is weird...but I do the same type stuff with my 2nd graders...of course I am sure you really crank up the content and product but the process is the same! I have been using the Daily 5 since 2005 and I LOVE IT! I am your 10th follower!Also where are you located?